By Adamu Yusuf
The Senate has called on the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development to initiate a review of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and China to enable Nigerian airlines to operate direct flights to China.
The resolution followed a motion titled “Enforcing the Bilateral Air Services Agreement between Nigeria and China,” sponsored by Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, representing Borno North, during plenary.
Leading the debate, Senator Monguno explained that the agreement was designed to establish direct commercial air links between the two countries to facilitate trade, tourism and economic cooperation.
He disclosed that trade between Nigeria and China reached eighteen billion dollars in the first half of last year, representing a thirty-five per cent increase over the corresponding period, while total bilateral trade stood at twenty-eight billion dollars in 2024.
Senator Monguno said effective implementation of the agreement would reduce travel time, improve supply-chain efficiency, minimise capital flight, boost foreign exchange earnings and create greater opportunities for Nigerian businesspeople and exporters.
Contributing to the debate, Senator Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi Central, described the motion as timely, noting that Nigeria was not deriving commensurate benefits from its economic relationship with China.
He expressed concern over the activities of some Chinese companies operating in Nigeria, particularly in the solid minerals sector, and called for stricter enforcement of existing regulations and agreements to safeguard the country’s economic interests.
Senator Ningi also observed that Nigerians travelling to China often had to transit through other countries, including Morocco and Ethiopia, while Chinese airlines operated direct flights to Nigerian airports.
He urged the Federal Government to encourage Nigerian carriers and negotiate reciprocal arrangements that would enable them to operate direct flights to China, describing the country as an emerging global economic powerhouse.
The lawmaker further suggested a review of the existing arrangement, including the possibility of restricting direct access for Chinese airlines if Nigerian carriers were denied similar privileges.
He maintained that direct flights would ease travel for Nigerian businesspeople, strengthen commercial relations and reduce foreign exchange outflows.
In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, commended the sponsor of the motion and urged lawmakers to concentrate on its prayers, particularly the need to renegotiate the existing agreement to secure greater economic benefits for Nigeria.
Editing by Khadija Kubau
